FGGAM NEWS just received this news release:
Governor Susana Martinez Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor and Mourning of Valencia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Thomas
Santa Fe, NM — Today, Governor Susana Martinez issued an executive order for flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, December 17, 2016, in honor and mourning of Valencia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Thomas.
The full text of the executive order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2016-038
FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF IN HONOR AND MOURNING OF VALENCIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY RYAN THOMAS
WHEREAS, On Tuesday, December 6, 2016, Valencia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Thomas was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call for service;
WHEREAS, Deputy Thomas served with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for more than a year and was previously a police officer with the Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Friendswood, Texas police departments;
WHEREAS, Deputy Thomas also served his state and country in the New Mexico Air National Guard with the 150th Security Forces Squadron, and previously in the U.S. Navy;
WHEREAS, Deputy Thomas’ passing underscores yet again the danger our law enforcement professionals confront every day;
WHEREAS, Deputy Thomas is survived by his wife, who is expecting their second child; a two-year-old daughter; and many family and friends;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby order that all flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, December 17, 2016, in honor and mourning of Deputy Thomas. The thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to his family, along with heartfelt gratitude for his service.
SIGNED AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 16th DAY OF DECEMBER 2016.
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.
SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR
MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER
SECRETARY OF STATE
Laura Rosecrans of The HUB of New Mexico posted this on December 7th:
By: Laura Rosecrans
“You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14
Life…what is life? Life is but a vapor. This verse came to mind today as I found out what the name of the Valencia County Deputy Sheriff that passed away was – Officer Ryan Thomas – while he was responding to a burglary call.
Officer Ryan Thomas, the young man (age 30) that lost his life on duty in Valencia County on December 6, 2016, was a respected member of the community. Ryan served in the United States Navy and was a member of the 150th Security Forces Squadron in the New Mexico Air National Guard.
Ryan now leaves behind his pregnant wife (due next month) and his 2 year old daughter as well as his mother and siblings. His father passed away recently – unexpectedly. Ryan’s family is close knit family that we knew personally through our home schooling history.
Please keep this precious family in your prayers.
Rest in Peace Officer Thomas.
